Chicago: Day 5

February 13, 2012

It was almost impossible to leave our Monarch Suite — why would we want to leave the most amazing hotel room we had ever stayed in? However, we had hardly seen any of the city yet, thus we felt an obligation to explore even if it was just for a couple of hours. Right around the corner from the Hyatt Regency Chicago is the Magnificent Mile, which is where we began our Windy City tour. Since it is on the Chicago river and it was quite chilly outside, our time there was brief.

Then we had to make a tough decision, as we only had time left to visit one last tourist destination. Of all of the amazing sights to see in Chicago, how could we pick just one? Since we are both huge marine-life aficionados, we decided upon the Shedd Aquarium and at the end of the day we were both content with our decision, as it is a magical place! The following are some of my favorite photos from our time there:

My favorite exhibit and the one that was on special display were the “jellies.” I know they have the potential to kill humans who come in contact with them, but there is something so mesmerizing and graceful about them. I could watch them glide through the water for hours upon hours.

As we departed the museum, it was obvious by the precipitation in the air that snow was on its way. My Argentinean husband had only seen snow once or twice in his life and he could not have been more excited. I, however, was ready to return to our room with the fireplace.

Though not before we picked up a famous Chicago deep dish pizza to-go first. Just as we started the fire and began to consume our delicious pizza, the snow began to fall. That moment felt so perfect and there was no where else in the entire world that I would have rather had been. 2012 was off to one extraordinary start!

Thanks for sharing, it means the world to me!

About Andi Perullo de Ledesma

I am Andi Perullo de Ledesma, a Chinese Medicine Doctor and Travel Photojournalist in Charlotte, NC. I am also wife to Lucas and mother to Joaquín. Follow us as we explore life and the world one beautiful adventure at a time.

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94 thoughts on “Chicago: Day 5”

Love the jelly pictures!!!! Aquariums are fun! Good choice. I’ve never seen Marilyn in Chicago! Is it new or did I just missed it? i love shopping in Chicago! But im sure in the winter I would stay indoors most of the time. Did u go to millennium park? Havent been to Chi-town since 2008. I want to go back someday! Xoxo

Aren’t the jellies fun? I took a million pics of them! I’m not sure if the Marilyn statue was new or not? It’s so fabulous!!! We walked by Millennium Park, but didn’t go skating, because Lucas doesn’t have health insurance hahaha and he’s never skated before. I definitely want to return soon. XO

I love that you put the photos of Marilyn Monroe in Warhol colors. The jellyfish photos came out great. I love the cute little seahorse 🙂 The end of the night sounds so romantic and perfect to be digging into that pizza while the snow began to fall… was Lucas entranced by it?

I love your comment about not skating because Lucas doesn’t have health insurance. I took Mark SKIING in the US with no health insurance coverage and I was just in terror the entire time of what broken limbs we were going to end up with. Fun times! Ha.

My boyfriend recently took me back to his hometown of Chicago. I loved it. What a cool city. I was lucky and got great weather both times. Even in the winter. The pictures you posted are beautiful. Glad to have found your adventure site! 🙂

Those jellyfish pics are *incredible*. I love them! Chicago is such an incredible city. So many interesting things to see and do. If only the winters were not so infamously harsh there (and the summers so hot and humid…). I’d move there in a moment’s notice if not for the climate. Visiting is definitely a great option, though. 🙂

I love your pictures from the aquarium! They are beautiful! I think I would have made the same decision by the way as I am fascinated by all thinsg underwater. Haven’t been scuba diving in almost two years and miss it…

So glad you loved Shedd – I have fond memories of going there with my father and cousins when I was younger. Your jellyfish photos are amazing!! What deep dish pizza place did you go to? Nancy’s is my fav

I wish I could remember the name, it was pretty famous, as there was a 90 minute wait! Shedd was fantastic — we’ll definitely return when we return to Chicago. I love that you have childhood memories there. 🙂